In the ninja world, only a tiny handful of people knew that kekkei genkai originated with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Everyone else knew, at most, only the part about the Sage of Six Paths.
Even Madara Uchiha had only learned of the Rabbit Goddess Kaguya Ōtsutsuki through the Uchiha Stone Tablet.
At that thought, Black Zetsu slowly rose up from the ground.
"Madara."
He spoke, his half-black, half-white face unreadable as ever.
"Are you still holding on?"
Black Zetsu looked at Madara.
Madara turned his head.
"With Kiyohara around, I can't trust Obito."
Madara's aged voice rang out.
"Things on Obito's side are still progressing fairly smoothly," Black Zetsu said.
"Although Yagura Karatachi had ocular power planted in him by Kiyohara, he can still be used after some handling. Over in the Mist, the elder has already been brought under control."
Madara listened in silence.
Black Zetsu went on,
"Kiyohara has made contact with the Akatsuki, but he hasn't had any real effect on Nagato's ideals."
"Is that so?"
Madara gave no real reaction.
He lowered his head and looked at his hand.
It was trembling slightly.
Not from fear, but because this body was nearly at its limit.
"Madara."
Black Zetsu suddenly spoke up.
"Have you noticed… any changes in your body?"
Madara's brow shifted slightly.
He lifted his eyes and looked at Black Zetsu.
That Rinnegan reflected Black Zetsu's figure within it.
"What do you mean?"
"I just feel like… something about you is different."
He didn't continue.
But he could see it clearly.
Inside Madara's body, that innate chakra was slowly peeling away.
That was Indra's chakra.
Ever since the Warring States era, that chakra had passed down from one reincarnation of Indra to the next. Madara was this generation's Indra reincarnation, and that was the source of the power that made him so extraordinary.
But now, that chakra was leaving him.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Black Zetsu shook his head.
"Nothing."
He paused.
"I'm just reminding you that it's time to make a decision. If this drags on any longer, your body…"
He left the sentence unfinished, but the meaning was obvious.
Madara withdrew his gaze and looked back at the enormous Demonic Statue.
"Keep a closer eye on Obito."
His voice was low.
"If he fails, we still have time to replace him."
Black Zetsu froze for a moment.
"Replace him?"
Madara didn't answer.
But Black Zetsu understood.
If Obito wouldn't work, then they would switch to Kiyohara.
That young man had Uchiha blood too, the same kind of talent, and the same potential to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan.
It was just…
Black Zetsu lowered his eyes.
That young man would be far harder to control than Obito.
Still, as a vessel, his talent really was far better suited than Obito's.
"I understand."
Black Zetsu slowly sank back into the ground.
"Get some rest."
His figure disappeared into the darkness.
The cave fell silent again.
The only sound left was the occasional noise of the Demonic Statue transmitting chakra.
Madara sat alone on the wooden seat, gazing into the endless darkness.
He could feel that thing leaving him, drifting farther and farther away.
He raised his hand and looked at that withered palm.
"Hashirama…"
He softly spoke that name.
The only man who had ever stood shoulder to shoulder with him.
"If back then…"
He didn't finish.
He only slowly lowered his hand and closed his eyes.
…
At the Root base.
When Orochimaru pushed the door open and walked in, Danzō Shimura was still reviewing the intelligence reports his subordinates had brought him.
He had recently allocated funds to build another new Root base.
"How did it go?"
Danzō turned to look at Orochimaru.
Then he noticed Orochimaru walking off in another direction.
Danzō followed with his eyes, watching Orochimaru stop at a sink, turn on the tap, and calmly wash his hands.
Water ran over his pale fingers, carrying away the last traces of blood.
He lifted his head and, through the water-stained mirror in front of him, looked at both his own reflection and Danzō's behind him.
"I lost."
Orochimaru said.
"You lost?"
Danzō looked Orochimaru over carefully and noticed the damage to his clothes, enough that one of his arms was partially exposed.
"Didn't you go to test his strength? What, one of the legendary Sannin can't even manage that much?"
Orochimaru turned off the water and pulled a clean towel from the rack beside him, leisurely drying his hands.
Those golden slit pupils peered at Danzō through the strands of hair hanging over his forehead.
"I conceded on my own."
Danzō's breathing grew heavier. His one eye widened, and even the whites were beginning to show blood vessels.
"Orochimaru, what exactly are you playing at?!"
"I sent you to test his strength, not to go decide a winner! Do you even know what time this is? The Hokage selection is right in front of us, and you're standing here telling me you admitted defeat?"
Orochimaru looked at Danzō.
"Then go do it yourself."
He sounded mildly exasperated.
Kiyohara hadn't even used Sage Mode yet.
And Orochimaru also knew Kiyohara had the Eight Gates, the Yin Seal, Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and a whole list of other techniques.
If the fight had continued, all it would have led to was injury. There was no real point.
Danzō clenched his fist.
On that newly transplanted right arm, all ten Sharingan contracted at once, as if they were reacting to their master's emotional turmoil.
The muscles in the arm tightened slightly, veins rising across the back of the hand.
"You…"
Danzō pointed at Orochimaru, then took several deep breaths and forced himself to calm down.
His chest rose and fell sharply a few times before he finally swallowed down the anger caught in his throat.
Then he turned away from Orochimaru and walked over to the table piled high with scrolls.
"How strong has that brat gotten?"
Orochimaru tossed the towel into the sink and walked up behind him.
"He has completely mastered the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique."
Danzō turned back, a sharp light flashing through his single eye.
"The same incomplete one you gave him?"
"Mm."
Orochimaru nodded.
"He perfected the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique. In his hands, it's far more powerful than I originally expected."
Danzō's brows drew tightly together.
"Is there any other way?"
Orochimaru looked at him.
"What way?"
he asked in return.
"A way to increase strength."
"You've spent all these years researching. Don't tell me you haven't come up with anything that can make someone's power explode in a short time?"
Danzō pressed on.
"There is."
Orochimaru nodded.
"What method?"
Danzō immediately demanded.
"There's someone else I know."
"Who?"
"Shinnō."
Danzō's brow twitched slightly.
"Shinnō?"
"Mm."
Orochimaru nodded.
"A very interesting man. He's highly skilled in medical ninjutsu, and he has some unique insight into body modification. By now, he should have fully mastered the Zero-Tails."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
Danzō cut him off.
He had no idea what the Zero-Tails actually was, but he had a feeling it was no small thing.
"Why haven't you recruited him already?"
"Shinnō and I have… a bit of history."
Orochimaru said.
Danzō: "…"
Even so, Danzō told him to gather as much intelligence on Shinnō as possible and try to bring him over.
Orochimaru clearly had the same idea.
He also wanted to see the power of the Zero-Tails for himself.
If he wanted to turn Kiyohara into his vessel, then without enough strength, that would be impossible.
…
At the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind the wide desk, white smoke curling from the pipe in his hand.
Homura Mitokado sat in the chair across from him, hands folded over his knees.
"Hiruzen, have you decided what to do about the Hokage selection?"
Hiruzen drew in a puff of smoke, then slowly exhaled.
"Minato is a good kid."
Homura nodded.
"That much is true. Outstanding war achievements, excellent reputation, and the representative of the civilian ninja. If he becomes Hokage, the shinobi from ordinary backgrounds will be very pleased."
Hiruzen looked at him.
Homura knew Hiruzen hadn't finished, so he remained silent and waited.
Sure enough, Hiruzen took another draw from his pipe, then slowly continued,
"Kiyohara is excellent too. His war achievements aren't inferior to Minato's, and his strength is obvious for all to see. Most importantly, he's an Uchiha."
He paused.
"If he becomes Hokage, the Uchiha clan's standing in the village will change dramatically."
Hiruzen set his pipe down and leaned back in his chair.
"Back then, Tobirama-sensei said the Uchiha were born evil. But Kagami was an exception. Shisui was an exception. Kiyohara is an exception too…"
"You're hesitating."
Homura could see it plainly.
Hiruzen nodded.
He really was hesitating.
He leaned somewhat toward Minato Namikaze, but at the same time he was wondering whether this might be an opportunity to change the Uchiha clan's place within the village.
Because among the current Uchiha, aside from those three, he had yet to see a fourth person who could rise above the clan's narrow way of thinking.
Rather than letting the Uchiha grow more dissatisfied, perhaps it would be better to let the most un-Uchiha Uchiha of them all become Hokage.
"Minato is excellent, and Kiyohara is excellent too. One represents the civilians, the other represents the Uchiha. No matter who is chosen, someone will be unhappy. And no matter who is chosen, someone will support it."
Homura fell silent.
He knew Hiruzen was right.
The position of Hokage had never been simple.
Behind it lay a tangled web of interests, factions, and clans.
Just then, there was a knock at the office door.
"Come in."
The door opened.
An Anbu ninja wearing an animal mask knelt on one knee at the entrance.
"Lord Hokage, urgent intelligence."
Hiruzen's brow moved slightly.
"Speak."
The Anbu ninja lifted his head.
"A request for aid has come from the priestess of the Land of Demons."
Hiruzen and Homura exchanged a look.
"The Land of Demons?"
The Anbu ninja nodded.
"According to the report, Mōryō of the Land of Demons has broken through its seal and is currently missing. The priestess requests that Konoha send forces to assist."
"Mōryō…"
Hiruzen frowned.
The Land of Demons was an ancient country, so remote and isolated that the Great Ninja Wars never truly touched it.
Hiruzen knew of that monster.
According to legend, it had lived for a thousand years, breaking free of its seal every few decades—or at most, every century.
And each time, the priestess of the Land of Demons would step forward and seal Mōryō away again.
That was why the priestess held such a transcendent position there, and why the country had almost become a religious state.
"This has to be dealt with."
Homura looked concerned.
According to rumor, Mōryō possessed vast chakra and commanded an army of clay soldiers, once attempting to build an eternal dark empire.
As long as Mōryō's chakra remained, those clay soldiers would not die.
They could be smashed by stone or pierced by lightning and still gather themselves again.
"Hiruzen, who do you plan to send?"
Homura asked.
"This might be an opportunity."
So Hiruzen ordered the Anbu to summon both Kiyohara and Minato Namikaze.
Very soon, the two of them were standing side by side in front of him.
"You've both heard about the Land of Demons?"
They nodded at the same time.
The Anbu had already informed them.
Hiruzen looked at them both.
"Mōryō has broken through its seal and gone missing. The priestess has asked Konoha for military support."
"I intend to send both of you."
Kiyohara's heart stirred, and he immediately understood the implication.
This was a critical moment. Any achievement now could influence the final choice of Hokage.
It seemed that because of his own butterfly effect, Hiruzen Sarutobi was no longer considering Minato Namikaze alone.
After all, Kiyohara's record truly was dazzling.
Minato also raised his head and looked at Hiruzen.
Hiruzen continued,
"You'll each lead your own team to the Land of Demons. Whoever handles this matter fastest and best will be rewarded."
He didn't say what the reward would be.
But everyone present understood.
That reward was very likely…
Minato was silent for a moment, then bowed slightly.
"I understand. I'll take Kakashi and Rin with me."
Hiruzen nodded.
"That's acceptable."
Then he looked at Kiyohara.
Kiyohara thought for a moment.
"I'll take my teacher, Kurenai, and Shizune."
"Then it's settled. You leave tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
The two answered in unison.
…
After returning to Tsunade's house, Kiyohara told her about it.
Tsunade was lying lazily on the sofa, leisurely eating the fruit Shizune had bought.
When she heard him, she froze for a second.
"Me?"
She raised a brow.
"The war's already over. Why are we still this busy?"
Kiyohara walked over to her side and lowered his voice.
"Sensei, this could decide whether I become Hokage."
He looked at her, his dark eyes unusually serious.
"You don't want me to fail to become Hokage, right? If that happens, the money I give you might decrease."
The moment Tsunade heard that, she let out a huff.
Good. The brat had learned how to threaten her now.
"Fine, fine. I'll go."
She lifted one bare foot and pointed toward the kitchen.
The polish on her toenails had started fading a little, but it still made her toes look soft and pale.
"Go get me some more fruit."
Her left hand held the plate, while with her right she skewered pieces of fruit with a toothpick and popped them into her mouth.
"Alright."
Kiyohara nodded.
…
The next morning.
At Konoha's main gate.
The guards were still yawning.
More and more ninja were starting to enter and leave the village.
Kiyohara had arrived as well.
Behind him, Tsunade followed along lazily.
"It's been a long time since I've gotten up this early."
She yawned.
Kurenai walked at her side.
She was dressed in ninja gear made for mobility, a pale red outfit that clung lightly to her body. White bandages wrapped her thigh and wound around her body as well, making the whole thing look like a kind of unusual dress.
Beside them, Shizune held Tonton in her arms. Tonton seemed only half awake too, its round little eyes half closed as it let out soft snorting sounds.
"Kiyohara-kun."
A voice came from the side.
Kiyohara turned his head.
Minato Namikaze was walking over from another street.
Behind him were Rin and Kakashi.
"What a coincidence."
Minato stopped in front of Kiyohara.
"You're heading out too?"
"Yeah."
Kiyohara nodded.
Then he pulled out that lump of white clay from his ninja pouch.
After shaping it, he poured chakra into it.
In an instant, the clay turned into a giant white dragon.
Its entire body was made of white clay, and on its back sat a small clay house.
Kiyohara jumped onto the dragon's back first and walked inside the little house.
Tsunade followed right behind him. As she jumped up, she glanced back at Minato.
"Minato, we're off first."
She waved.
Kurenai and Shizune followed her up as well.
The dragon's body trembled slightly.
It slowly lifted its head, braced its limbs, and rose from the ground.
Its huge wings spread and beat lightly.
In the blink of an eye, the dragon had already climbed into the sky and flown westward.
Minato stood there, head tilted up as he watched the shrinking figure disappear into the distance.
"That's really convenient."
He sounded a little envious of the technique.
But clearly, the little house on its back only had room for Kiyohara's group. There was no way it could also carry Minato, Kakashi, and Rin.
Kakashi walked over beside him.
"Minato-sensei, we should get moving."
Minato nodded.
Then he turned to look at Kakashi and Rin.
"Sorry to put you through this."
He smiled.
"You two are always teaming up with Kiyohara, and today you have to travel on foot with me instead."
Rin shook her head.
"It's nothing, Minato-sensei."
Even so, she felt a tiny bit disappointed that she wouldn't be going with Kiyohara.
But once she thought about meeting up with him sooner or later in the Land of Demons, her mood improved quite a bit.
"Let's go."
Minato took the lead and headed out of the village.
Kakashi and Rin followed behind him.
…
That evening.
At the border of the Land of Demons.
The dragon slowly descended into a stretch of forest.
Kiyohara jumped down from its back and rolled his shoulders.
The chakra cost hadn't been high, but maintaining flight for such a long time still brought some fatigue.
Though the ones feeling tired weren't Kiyohara, but Kurenai and the others.
Kiyohara decided to stop and rest for the night for their sake.
Tsunade jumped down after him and landed beside him.
She stretched lazily, her full chest shifting with the motion.
"At last."
A warm breath escaped her red lips.
Kurenai and Shizune came down as well.
"I'll go gather firewood."
Kurenai volunteered.
"I'll help too."
Shizune set Tonton down and followed her.
Kiyohara closed his eyes and began sensing the area around them.
Within several miles, he could detect no chakra presence at all.
Safe.
So Kiyohara withdrew his attention, walked to a relatively flat patch of ground, and started setting up camp.
Tsunade leaned against a tree with her arms crossed, watching him work.
"Brat."
She suddenly spoke.
"Mōryō isn't easy to deal with. If you can't handle it, don't push yourself."
"I know, Sensei."
Kiyohara nodded.
Mōryō really wasn't easy to deal with, but Kiyohara knew its weakness.
In the original story, Naruto had defeated Mōryō with a single Big Ball Rasengan after combining with the priestess's chakra.
As long as Kiyohara got the priestess's help and borrowed some of her chakra, he could beat Mōryō too.
"Fine."
Tsunade walked over to him, crouched down, and helped him straighten the tent.
There was also a note about the previous chapter:
There was a small issue in the last one, which has now been corrected. Orochimaru's arm was injured, and the blood Kiyohara collected was from that wound in Orochimaru's arm.